Boat-saving apparatus



- (No Model.) 4 sheetssheet 1.

H. G. OADY. BOAT. SAVING APPARATUS.

No. 438,059. Patented 001;, 7, 1890.

wuawboz wi/tmooe-o (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. G. OADY.

BOAT SAVING APPARATUS.

N0. 438,059. Patented Oct. 7, 1890.

(No Model.) 4.Sheets-Sheet 3. H. G. GADY.

BOAT SAVING APPARATUS.

No. 438,059. Patented Oct. 7, 1890.

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BOAT SAVING APPARATUS. No. 438,059. Patented 001;. '7 1890.

Fig 1L UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

HENRY G. CADY, OF PINE BLUFF, ARKANSAS.

BOAT-SAVING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 438,059, dated October7, 1890.

Application filed January 8, 1890. Serial No. 336,227. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known, that I, HENRY G. OADY, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Pine Bluff, in the county of Jefferson and State ofArkansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inBoat-Saving Apparatus, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for preventing thesinking of vessels and for raising sunken vessels, wherein the principleof the displacement of water by the action of air aided by the buoyantaction of the air is employed for raising the vessel; and to these endsthe invention consists of the use of air-containing receptacles orclosures disposed throughout the vessel under the deck and othersuitable points where they will be out of way, combined with an air-pumpand a buoy 0r float, which is designed to be connected by hose orflexible pipe with said air receptacles or closures, and which buoy withthe hose or pipe is, when not in use, stowed away on shipboard in a boXor receptacle, whereby it is obvious in the event of the sinking of thevessel the buoy will float on the surface of the water, while its hosewill uncoil or straighten out as the ship or vessel sinks. Thus thewhereabout of the sinking of the vessel or ship is not only located,butprovision is also made, by invoking the aid of an air force-pump andmaking connection therewith of the hose connected to the buoy, for theraising of the sunken vessel. If, however, it is desired not to make theoutlay beforehand that would be involved in providing the vessel or shipwith air receptacles or closures and hose-pipe to guard against thepossible disaster of the sinking of the vessel or ship, the buoy orfloat may be anchored to the submerged or sunken vessel or ship simplyby means of a cable or rope previously connected thereto, the same as inthe use of hose-pipe, which would be required in using air receptaclesor closures, and thus for the purpose of designating the locality of thesunken or submerged vessel or ship serves equally as well as saidhose-pipe, all as will more fully appear hereinafter from the followingdescription and accompanying illustrations, in Which- Figure 1 is a viewshowing my invention in use. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of a vessel,showing the air-receptacles in position. Fig. 3 is a detail view of theconnection between the main supplypipes and the air -receptacles, partsbeing broken away. Fig. at is a sectional view of one of the branchpipes. Fig.

5 is a cross-section of the same taken through the lines 0c 00. Fig. 6is a side elevation of the air force-pump, showing its connection withthe air-supply pipes. Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation of theexhaust-valve. Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the buoy and its connectionwith the air-supply pipe. Figs. 9, 10, and 1]. are detail sectionalviews of the same.

In carrying out my'invention I employ a series of receptacles orclosures A A, which are adapted to contain air, and which are disposedthroughout the hull of the vessel or ship B under the deck and inbetween the lining and the sides of the hull of the vessel, as also inthe space under the flooring between the hold and the steerage and othersuitable points Where they will be out of the way. These receptacles orclosures, which may be of rubber or other suitable material, areconnected one to the other by short pipes or tubes at, those tubes orpipes a connecting with the receptacles or closures disposed under thedeck, however, being connected with a central pipe 1), extending in thedirection of the length of the hull of the vessel or ship, as shown.

The pipes at are each provided with an automatic valve 0, consisting ofa valve-disk c, fitted to slide thereon, and limited in its out wardmovement by valve-seat c and stop 0 on the pipe, and having a stem 0held in position by a guide cibearing against the sides of the pipe,said stem being encircled or acted upon by spring 0, normally holding itagainst said seat. The valve-seat c is screw-threaded on its periphery,and engages the screw-threaded sleeve or tube 60*. Hence it will be.ob

under the air-pressure and allow the air to pass, which will thenceenter and inflate the air receptacles or closures, as desired. However,as air-pressure is removed from the outer sides of the valves, theiractuating-springs and the pressure of the stored air will return them totheir normal closed position, and thus retain them against accidentalopening or unseating by any pressure from without less than that withinthe air receptacles or closures. Thus it will be observed that when therequisite quantity of air has been fed into the air-receptacle, thepressure from the inside of the receptacles upon the valve in connectionWith the springs will prevent the further opening of the valve, cuttingoff the ingress of air through the openings, and in this manner thequantity of air in the air-receptacles is regulated by the tension ofthe valve-springs, and bursting of the air-receptacles is prevented andsafety-valves produced. I

D is an air force-pump or device connecting with the central pipe I),and by means of which. the air receptacles or closures A are suppliedthrough said pipe and the lateral pipes at with atmospheric air forinflating said receptacles.

E is the buoy, which is preferably of the construction shown, having astorage-chamber d, in which may be kept the ships log or other valuablepapers, 850., placed therein through a door 01' in one side near thetop, fitted watertight, for use to identify the vessel or ship in eventof its sinking. The buoy. is placed in a receptacle or box E, placed ondeck, which by preference may have downward-tapering sides and be ofsufficient capacity or width to receive therein in addition thehose-pipe F, which is coiled around the buoy and stored in or upon thevessel as a convenient method of compactly storing it. One end of thehosepipe F is permanently connected at a suitable point to the pipe I),while its other end is connected to the buoy or float, this connectionbeing effected by means of a ball-and-socket or universal joint G toprevent the liability of breaking or otherwise impairing the hosepipe atthat point from the constant vibration that the buoy would naturallyhave when in the water. This joint consists of the ball g, seated in asocket g, pendent from the lower end of the buoy, said ball having apassage g through it and having a pipe or hollow stem 9 whose bore is inalignment with the passage g, and which stem or pipe is formed with ascrew-cap g engaginga screw-threaded sleeve or collar fast to the upperend of the hosepipe. The buoy or float E has an opening in its upperend, around which is secured a screwthreaded collar or sleeve 6, whichis adapted to permit of the attachment thereto of a section of hose-pipeleading to an air force-pump when the vessel is sunken and is to beraised. When the buoy is afloat, the opening in its upper end is pluggedup, preferably, by the insertion therein of the lower end of aflagstaff, which with its flag serves as a signal. Thus constructed, incase vessels having my apparatus spring a leak or from any other causeshow signs of sinking, it is only necessary by operation of the air-pumpto inflate the air-receptacles, whereby sinking of the vessel isprevented.

Connected to the air-pipes near their connection with the air-pump is anair-vent or exhaust-valve O, which consists of a disk 6 seated againstthe annular seat 8 upon the inside of the casing or shell a and havingits spring encircled or acted upon, stem e engaging a tubular chamber 6in a plug 6 screwed into said shell or casing e at one end,

said casing or shell having air-exhaust openings e normally openingthrough said casing or shell to the outer air; and it is apparent thatin case of the sinking of a vessel or ship equipped with this apparatusthe buoy would float on the surface of the water, and thus the hose-pipeuncoiling with the sinking of the vessel or ship, and being connected tothe latter and the buoy, would locate the sunken vessel. Now, in orderto raise the vessel or ship, a barge or other vessel or other floatingcontrivance armed with an air force-pump is moored alongside the buoyand the flagst-aff removed from the buoy and connection effected bymeans of hose or other pipe between the air-chamber of the pump and thecollar or sleeve e of the float or buoy E. The pump isthen operated andtheair thus forced through the pipes and buoy into the air receptaclesor closures in the vessel will inflate said receptacles or closures, thewater-displacing action of the air and its buoyancy having the effect tobring or float the sunken vessel or ship to the surface of the water,thus raising the vessel.

It is obvious that should it be desired not' to make the outlaybeforehand that would be involved in providing the vessel or ship withair receptacles or closures and hose-pipe to guard against the possibledisaster of the sinking of the vessel or ship, the connection betweenthe buoy or. float and the sunken or submerged vessel or ship may beeffected simply by means of a rope or cable, instead of by a hose-pipe,which of course would be required in the use of said air receptacles orclosures, and thus for the purpose of designating the locality of thesunken or submerged vessel or ship, serve equally as well as saidhose-pipe.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. In an apparatus forpreventing the sinking and f or raising sunken vessels, the combination,with the air-containing receptacles or closures, of the centralair-delivery pipes,

the lateral pipes connecting said air-delivery pipes with theair-receptacles, and the automatic air-valves seated in each of saidlateral pipes, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the combination of the air receptacles or closures withthe buoy having the ball-andsocket or universal joint connection withthe hose-pipe connected to the central air-delivery pipes, substantiallyas shown and described.

3. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the combination of the air receptacles or closures, thecentral air-delivery pipes connected to said receptacles by thelateralbranch pipes, the automatic valves in said lateral pipes, and thebuoy having the detachable ball-and-socket or universal joint connectionwith. one end of the hose-pipe, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels, the combination, with theair receptacles or closures and the central air-pipe connecting withsaid receptacles, of the hose-pipe and'the buoy having a ball-and-socketor universal joint connection with said hose-pipe, substantially as andfor the purpose described.

5. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the combination of the air receptacles or closures withthe central air-delivery pipes, the lateral or branch pipes connectingsaid airreceptacles with the delivery-pipe, and the automatic valveseated in each of said lateral pipes, consisting of the adjustablevalve-seat, the valve-disk, and its stem operated by the spring and theguide, substantially as shown and described.

6. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels, the combination, with airreceptacles or closures and the central air'delivery pipe, of thehose-pipe connected to said central pipe, the float or buoy having apassage through it and the ball -and-socket joint between said buoy andhose-pipe having a hollow stem or pipe formed with a cap screwed upon asleeve or collar fast to one end of said hose-pipe, said ball alsohaving a passage through it communicating with said stem or pipe,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

7. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of and for raising sunkenvessels, the combination of the series of connected air re ceptacles orclosures and a central air-delivery pipe having lateral pipe-connectionswith said air-receptacles, said pipe-connections having automaticair-valves, the hose-pipe coiled in a receptacle on ship-board and thebuoy or float having a passage through it and a storage-chamber, and theball-and-socket joint between said hose-pipe and float or buoy, saidball having a passage through it and a pipe communicating therewith,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the buoy carrying in the screw-threaded sleeve or collarthe detachable flag-staff, and having connected to its lower end ahose-pipe by means of the ball-and-socket or universal joint having apassage through its stem, in combination with the inflatableair-receptacles, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a device for preventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the buoycarrying the flag-staff in ascrew-threadedsleeve, the compartment or receptacle in its upper end accessible fromwithout by means of the door, having ball-and-socket oruniversal jointconnection at its lower end with the hose-pipe, said hose-pipe havingconnection at its lower end with the central air-delivery pipe connectedby means of the lateral pipes containing the automatic valves with theaircon taining receptacles, substantiallyas shown and described.

10. In an apparatus forpreventing the sinking of vessels and for raisingsunken vessels, the ball-and-socket or universal joint consisting of thesocket and the ball having connected to its lower end the stemprojecting downward through an opening in the bottom of the socket, saidstem having on its lower end a screw-threaded sleeve, the stem and ballhaving a central passage passing therethrough, substantially as shownand described.

11. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and forraising sunken vessels, the series of air-supply pipes, in combinationwith the air-receptacles, the hose connecting said pipes with the buoy,and the co1npartment or receptacle in the upper end of the buoyaccessible through a door from the outside thereof, substantially asshown and described.

12. In an apparatus for raising vessels, the buoy carrying the signal orflag in its upper end and having connected to its lower end a hose-pipe,in combination With a ball-joint having a passage therethrough, atubular stem or pipe connecting with the buoy, substantially as shownand described.

13. In an apparatus for preventing the sinking of vessels and forraising sunken vessels, the inflatable air-receptacles and theirsupply-pipes, in combination with the automatic valve-seat operated bythe screw-threaded sleeve integral therewith, the valve-disk and itsstem operated by the spring, and the stemguide having the openings oneither side thereof, substantially as shown and described.

14. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels and for preventing thesinking of vessels, the series of air-supply pipes, the air-containingreceptacles or compartments, the lateral pipes forming a connectionbetween said airsupply pipes and the air-receptacles, and the automaticvalves seated in said lateral pipes consisting of the adjustablevalve-seat, the spring-acted-upon valve-disk, and its stem and theguide, substantially as shown and described.

15. In an apparatus for raising sunken vessels and for preventing thesinking of vessels,

the buoy having connection with the inflat- In testimony whereof I affixmysignztture in able air-receptacles by means of the lateral presence oftwo witnesses. branch pipes, the central air-delivery pipe, and thehose-pipe connected thereto and carrying the Water-tight compartment inits upper end for securing the ships papers, accessible from Withoutthrough a door, substantially as shown and described.

HENRY c. cA'DY.

Witnesses S. A. TERRY, P. W. STEVENS.

